Andy Baker weighed in with a gritty half-century as Hales and Loddon A suffered a five-wicket Norfolk League Division Four South East defeat against Colney at Eaton CNS School.

Baker and veteran Joe Perry showed commendable discipline as H&L dug deep to post a hard-earned 98 total in 36 overs after being put in to bat.

Colney’s experienced opening attack of spinner Simon Carding and left-arm swing bowler Mike Peck gave little away, sharing six wickets and conceding a mere 21 runs between them in 18 accurate overs. Peck had Baker caught by Tim Stock for 54 ending an 80-run fourth wicket partnership and later cut short Perry’s defiant vigil on 31 by winning an lbw decision.

Colney did not have things all their own way with the bat as H&L claimed five wickets before the hosts clinched victory in the 29th over.

Skipper Dave Redford (nine overs 1 for 21) and Tom Wilkins (six overs 1 for 19) kept the pressure on in economical opening spells while Joe Perry and Callum Considine also claimed a wicket each. Young Considine took his first wicket for the club in a four-over spell for 20 runs. A smart run-out by Redford accounted for the other wicket.

The hosts were steered to victory by David Whitworth’s unbeaten 30 and 18 from Gary Barker aided by 30 extras which accounted for almost a third of the total.

PJ Waylands Minibus and Taxis man-of-the-match was Andy Baker.

Hales and Loddon A are home to Winterton A on tomorrow.

There was an incredible bowling performance at Ashby last week as Sri Lankan ‘Issie’ Rajapaksha bowled three overs and took five wickets for just four runs. This was the best bowling performance of any Ashby player in their short history.

Batting first against Wombles Ashby had limped along, making a modest score of 109 for 8 (Kingsley 20 and Bunn 25 not out).

Wombles were making steady progress at 32 for 2 when Issie’s remarkable performance changed the game and he also achieved a run out with a direct hit. The visitors were all out for 94 with Ashby winning the game by 15 runs.

Sunday’s game was cancelled.

Saturday sees the Chairman’s match (11.30am) while on Thursday Ashby play Coach & Horses away ( Pound Lane, 6pm).